Connecting device.



J. W. LAWHEAD.

GONNEGTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 23. 1910.

985,608., Patented Feb. 28, 1911.

Elmo/mite;

JAMES W. LAWHEAD, OF WILMINGTON, OHIO.

CONNECTING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jnarns IV. LAWHEAD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Wilmington, in the county of Clinton and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Connecting Devices, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of connecting devices and thoughas will be obvious, it is particularly adapted for con necting harnessstrap ends or as a coupling for horse collars, it is evident that it maybe adapted for many purposes where two members are adapted to beconnected one with the other.

The objects of my invention are to provide a simple, inexpensive andpositive connecting device of improved construction, by means of whichtwo separated parts or memhere may be readily connected or CllS00l1nected; to so construct my improved connecting device as to admit of anadjustable connection, whereby the distance between the connected partsmay be regulated and to otherwise produce a strong, durable andeffective connection which may be readily and easily operated. Theseobjects I accomplish in the manner illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, in which- Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing the twomembers of my device connected one with the other in their lockingpositions, and Fig. 2 is a detail view in perspective of one of theconnecting members.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In carrying out my invention, I employ two separately formed connectingmembers, one of said members, which is indicated at 1, comprising astraight rod or bar body 1, which is preferably formed with enlarged orflanged ends 2. Formed with the rod or bar 1 on opposite sides of thecenter of the length thereof, are two parallel outwardly extending andcorrespondingly curved arms 3, each arm having a succession or pluralityof openings therein as indicated at 4. These open-work arms arepreferably braced in connection with each other by a short transversearm 5 which connects the inner sides of said arms. In forming the outerand rear portions of each of the arms 3, I provide the same withupwardly extending flanges 3. The remaining coupling member or sectionwhich is indicated at 6, comprises a straight body portion 7 having endenlargements 7 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 28, 1910.

Patented Feb. 28, 1911.

Serial No. 564,004.

which project on one side of said body and from which extendeccentrically in the direction of the length of the body 7 opposingterminal pins 8, the latter having enlarged heads or end flanges 9. Fromthe body 7 at a point midway between the enlargements 7, extendsoutwardly a slightly curved lever arm 10 and between the base of thislever arm and each of the enlargements 7, is provided an upwardly andforwardly curved tapering finger or hook member 11, the outer portionsof said fingers extending in the general direction of the lever 10, butbeing of less length than the latter.

As indicated in the drawing, those portions of the rod or bar body 1which extend beyond the sides of the arms 3 and the outwardly extendingmembers 8 of the body 7 are designed to have connected therewith, strapsor other members to be connected such as are indicated at 12 and 13.

In effectin a connection of the two connecting members 1 and 6, it willbe understood that the hook fingers 11, are brought into engagement withcorresponding openings 4 of the arms 3, said fingers being passedupwardly through the lower sides of said openings and the inner portionof the lever lO extending within the bifurcation or space between thearms 3. WVhen the parts are thus engaged, it will be observed that theparallel side members of the arms 8, will lie in the recessses whichexist in the body 6 on opposite sides of the bases of the fingers 11.lVhen the fingers of the members 6 are thus hooked into engagement withthe openings 1 of the member 1 and the lever 10 swung forwardly in thegeneral direction of the lengths of the arms 8, it is obvious that theconnecting members will be locked together in such manner as to resistany tendency of the parts to separate as a result of pull or tension onthe two connecting members in opposite directions.

In case the connecting device herein described, is adapted for use inconnection with a horse collar or similar device, the proj ectingflanges 3 will serve as lateral retainers for the usual hame strapswhich pass over the connection. It will also be readily seen that theconnection may be shortened or lengthened by the engagement of thetongues or fingers 11 with diiferent openings 4: of the arms 3, thusproviding for a desirable adjustment of the connected parts.

It will be observed that the two connecting members formed as described,may be readily and easily engaged one with the other and that when thusengaged, said members are positively locked against accidentalseparation.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that simple andefficient means are herein provided for accomplishing the objects of theinvention, but while the elements shown and described are well adaptedto serve the purposes for which they are intended, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the precise constructionset forth, but includes within its purview such changes as may be madewithin the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim, is

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with aconnecting member having means for attaching a strap or other bodythereto and comprising a body portion having parallel arms projectingtherefrom, each arm formed with a succession of openings, of a secondconnecting member comprising a body portion having means for attaching astrap or similar device thereto, said body having an offset portionbetween its ends, from which offset portion project parallel hooktongues and an intermediate lever arm.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination withaconnecting member comprising a rod or bar body having parallel armsprojecting therefrom at points dis tanced from the ends of said body,each of said arms having one or more openings therein, of a secondconnecting member comprising a rod or bar body having an offsetintermediate its ends, and a pair of hook tongues and an intermediatelever arm proj ecting from said offset portion.

3. In a connecting device, the combination with a connecting membercomprising a bar or rod body, parallel open-work arms extendingtherefrom and upright flanges on said arms, of a second connectingmember comprising a rod or bar body having an oifset intermediateportion and hook fingers, and a lever bar projecting from said offsetportion between said hook fingers.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES IV. LAWHEAD.

Vitnesses:

A. L. PHELPs, INGLE A. Morris.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing; the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

